The Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites were three divisions of the Levites in ancient Israel, descended from Kohath, Gershon, and Merari, the three sons of Levi (Exodus 6:16-19). They had specific duties relating to the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The Kohathites The Kohathites were descended from Kohath, the second son of Levi (Exodus 6:16). Some key facts about the Kohathites: They were responsible for the most holy objects of the Tabernacle – the Ark of the Covenant, table of showbread, lampstand, altars, and articles of the sanctuary (Numbers 3:31). They had to carry these objects on their shoulders, being forbidden…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The story of the Magi bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the young Jesus is found in Matthew 2:1-12. This fascinating account raises the question – why did these wise men from the east bring these particular gifts to Jesus? To understand the significance of these gifts, it’s important to know a bit about the Magi themselves. The Magi were likely astrologers and wise men from the East, possibly near Persia or Arabia. They studied the stars and were familiar with Jewish prophecies about a coming Messiah. When they saw an unusual star sign in the sky, they…
This is a common claim made by some that Jesus Christ is simply a copy of pagan gods like Dionysus. However, when examining the evidence, this does not seem to be the case. Jesus Christ as described in the Bible has a number of unique attributes not shared with pagan god figures like Dionysus. First, it is important to examine the source materials we have for Jesus and Dionysus. For Jesus, we have four biographical accounts of his life in the Gospels contained in the Bible. These accounts claim to be based on eyewitness testimony of those who knew and…
What was the brazen altar? The brazen altar, also known as the bronze altar or altar of burnt offering, was an important part of the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament. It was a raised structure made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze that was used for animal sacrifices and offerings to God. Description and Dimensions The brazen altar was located in the outer court of the tabernacle and temple, in front of the entrance to the holy place (Exodus 40:6). God gave Moses detailed instructions for constructing the altar when the tabernacle was built in the wilderness. It…
The peace of God is a deep sense of tranquility, harmony and security that comes from knowing God and trusting in His sovereign plan and purpose for your life. Even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty in the world, the peace of God guards the hearts and minds of those who place their faith in Christ (Philippians 4:7). This supernatural peace surpasses human understanding and allows believers to remain calm and steadfast through every storm of life. So how can you experience the peace of God in your daily walk with Christ? Understanding True Peace To grasp the peace…
Akeldama is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Acts 1:18-19, which says: “Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.” This refers to Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. After Jesus was condemned to death, Judas was filled with remorse and returned the…
The verse 2 Timothy 4:2 says “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” This verse gives us insight into what it means for a pastor or teacher to effectively preach and teach God’s Word. Here are some key points about preaching the Word from 2 Timothy 4:2: 1. Preach the Word First and foremost, preaching the Word means to preach the Scriptures – the Bible. This involves teaching and explaining what the Bible says, not merely offering human opinions or philosophies. A preacher is to be faithful…
The issue of hate speech is a complex one, with passionate views on many sides. As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), yet at times our words can come across as judgmental or uncaring. This article will explore what the Bible says about speech, how to balance truth and love, and examine common critiques of Christian rhetoric on controversial topics. First, it’s important to define hate speech. Legal definitions vary, but in general hate speech is communication intended to insult, intimidate, or incite prejudice against a group based on characteristics like race, religion, gender…
Boaz was an important figure in the Old Testament book of Ruth. He was the wealthy landowner who showed kindness to Ruth, a widowed Moabite woman, allowing her to glean in his fields. Boaz eventually took Ruth as his wife, providing security and offspring for her as she sought refuge under the wings of the God of Israel (Ruth 2:12). Here is a summary of key facts about Boaz in the Bible: He was from Bethlehem in Judah (Ruth 1:1-2) He was a wealthy landowner and pillar of the community (Ruth 2:1) He showed kindness to Ruth, a poor foreign…
Reality therapy is a form of psychotherapy developed by psychiatrist William Glasser in the 1960s. It focuses on helping people take more effective control of their lives in the present moment rather than dwelling on past events. Reality therapy encourages people to make choices that lead to more satisfying lives. Some key principles of reality therapy include: Focusing on present behavior rather than past experiences or events. Helping clients evaluate whether their current actions are getting them what they want. Having clients commit to realistic, achievable plans for change. Not accepting excuses for irresponsible behavior. Working within clients’ reality to…